Lagos, Nigeria – Vaccination for people exposed to Ebola and frontline health workers has begun in southern Kasai province, the World Health Organization said on Sunday.
The outbreak of the highly contagious disease was announced earlier this month in the Bulape area of Kasai, according to a briefing from the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
The WHO said only the initial 400 doses of the Ervebo vaccine will be distributed, and the rest will be delivered later. The operation is hampered by limited access and scarce funds.
The WHO said vaccinations are expected to be administered later, as the International Coordination Group, which provides international vaccines, approved about 45,000 shots.
The latest Ebola outbreak is the 16th place in Congo since 1976, and it is caused by the Zaire species, named after the country’s former name. It adds another layer of concern to Central African countries, which is fighting rebel groups, especially violence in the eastern part of the country, destroys the health system.
